Delhi CM orders magisterial probe into Satya Niketan collapse that killed five students

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday ordered a magisterial probe into the collapse of a building in Satya Niketan that killed five Delhi University students and injured several others. The Chief Minister visited the site in the evening to oversee rescue operations and coordinate efforts among agencies working to reach those still trapped under the debris.

Speaking from a temple adjacent to the site, Ms. Gupta said the building was old and renovation work was underway at the time of the incident. She asserted that priority was being given to saving lives and that all necessary resources would be made available. "However, the guilty will not be spared," she said, adding that responsibility would be fixed whether it lies with the building owner or a government official. The Chief Minister's Office later confirmed that an FIR has been registered against the building owner.

The tragedy has sparked sharp reactions from political leaders. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, called the incident heartbreaking and alarming, noting that students are often forced into cramped paying guest accommodations due to a lack of hostels. He said such housing struggles have now become life-threatening and stressed that every student's life is precious.

Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal blamed government negligence for the collapse, urging authorities to take large-scale action to ensure citizen safety. AAP's Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj drew parallels with a similar incident in Saket months ago, alleging that audits often lead to temporary sealing of establishments without lasting change.

Former MCD councillor Abhishek Dutt demanded accountability at senior levels, not just action against junior engineers. Abhijeet Dipke of the Cockroach Janta Party questioned why infrastructure failures repeatedly affect students from poor backgrounds, pointing out that collapses never occur where politicians live or work.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, noting that authorities are assisting those affected at the site.